New Delhi: Amidst the fear of rising monkeypox cases WHO has stated an unprecedented lockdown on sex or precisely the sexual partners. The Director-General of World Health Oraganization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has advised people to contain their sex life in the wake of increasing cases of the monkeypox virus.
He tweeted a video whose caption read, “The monkeypox outbreak can be stopped if countries, communities and individuals inform themselves, take the risks seriously, and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups.”
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18,000 cases reported from 78 countries
Tedros was addressing the world when he said, “On Saturday I declared a public health emergency of international concern over the global monkeypox outbreak. More than 18,000 cases of monkeypox have now been reported to WHO from 78 countries, with more than 70% of cases reported from the European region and 25% from the region of the Americas.”
“Stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups”
“So far, 5 deaths have been reported, and about 10% of cases are admitted to hospital to manage the pain caused by the disease. This is an outbreak that can be stopped, if countries, communities and individuals from themselves, take the risk seriously and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups,” he added.
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“Reduce sexual partners”
Talking about the reduction of exposure, he said, “The best way to do that is to reduce the risk of exposure. That means making safe choices for yourself and others. For men who have sex with men, this includes, for the moment, reducing your number of sexual partners, reconsidering sex with new partners, and exchanging contact details with any new partners to enable follow up if needed.”
“98% cases are among homosexual men”: WHO
Informing that although 98% cases are among homosexual men, but others too are can be expose to infection. He further said, “Although 98% of cases so far are among men who have sex with men, anyone exposed can get monkeypox, which is why WHO recommends that countries take action to reduce the risk of transmission to other vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women and those who are immunosuppressed.”
The #monkeypox outbreak can be stopped if countries, communities and individuals inform themselves, take the risks seriously, and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups.pic.twitter.com/7CumPFyPhc
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) July 27, 2022
Hugging, kissing, sharing beds & towels can transmit the virus
“In addition to transmission through sexual contact, monkeypox can be spread in households, through close contact between people, such as hugging or kissing and on contaminated towels or bedding,” the WOH Director General said.
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“Targeted vaccination might help”: Tedros
Talking about targeted vaccination Tedros said, “WHO recommends target vaccination for those exposed to someone with monkeypox, and for those at high risk of exposure including health workers, some lab workers and those with multiple sexual partners.”
“Not considering mass vaccination”: Tedros
Informing about the non-consideration of mass vaccination at moment, he said, “At this time, we don’t recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox. The focus for all countries must be engaging and empowering communities of men who have sex with men to reduce the risk of infection and onward transmission, to provide care for those infected, and to safeguard human rights and dignity.”
At the end, he said, “Stigma and discrimination can be as dangerous as any virus, and can fuel the outbreak.”
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